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joe_silvestri59

which wall to accent?

5 years ago

just moved in to a new house and the living room is kind of a big gray box. our idea is to wallpaper one of the walls with paintable textured paper and paint it with BM Iron Mountain for a dark accent wall. i was thinking the wall behind the TV, but am now having second thoughts. any input would be great. i’ve added pictures of the room (don’t mind the baby’s mess) as it is right now and some pictures of the paper.






Comments (71)

  • 5 years ago

    @Lisa Caudill Designs i honestly have no idea what you just said. can you describe that again?

  • 5 years ago

    @BeverlyFLADeziner the couch will be centered on the big wall. we have a bunch of black and white prints in matching black frames to fill the wall up with art.


    we also have bigger plants, but they’re happy in the great room and these two are happy in here.


    i like the idea of a lamp in the corner, thanks for your input.

  • 5 years ago

    @Jilly thanks. it’s such a rich gray color. i think it’s gonna look really good.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Basically rotate all but the rug to the right one wall. so where the console table is the back of the sofa would be, the TV across from where the new placement of the sofa is.

    What I can't tell is if there is a wall with 2 doorways between where the TV and chaise are now?

    If its just one doorway or not enough wall for the TV then it will not work.

    Does that help?

    If not, can you take a picture of the other 2 walls of the room?

  • 5 years ago

    @Lisa Caudill Designs there is a large cased opening next to the chaise which leads into the dining room.


    also, the sofa is wider than the section of wall that the tv console is on.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Hi. I hope you will consider these options.


    OPTION 1


    Please take the sofa and turn it 180 degrees. The sofa will now be facing the large wall. Move the sofa more toward the 2 front windows.


    The tv can then be placed on the large wall.


    Foot traffic goes from the front hall into the living room, turn left, into the dining room. So foot traffic is behind the sofa.



    OPTION 2


    (not sure room is wide enough for this option)


    Turn the sofa 90 degrees and have it face the front windows. Arm of sofa should be touching the large wall.


    TV between windows.


    Foot traffic again walks around the sofa.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Along with the other suggestions to center the sofa and rug, what about a wallpaper like this as your accent?

  • 5 years ago

    @CDR Design, LLC


    option 1 wouldn’t work because the sectional is wider than the section of wall that the tv stand is against currently. and pulling the sectional away from the wall to allow people to pass through would make the room extremely cramped.


    option 2 doesn’t work because rotating the couch 90* closes off the flow to the dining room. also, tv’s look terrible sandwiched between windows. the glare would be awful.


    thank you for your input.

  • 5 years ago

    @Lisa Caudill Designs thank you but i’ve already purchased the wallpaper that i like for the room. i really just posted for advice on which wall should be papered.


    that being said, you’ve all made great suggestions for moving the couch and rug to the center of the long wall.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    If you have the paint already then I would say the one behind the TV.

    Can't wait to see it all done!

    Cingrats on your new home!

  • 5 years ago

    Hi Joe. Not knowing the measurements of your room, I'm not sure if it makes sense space wise, but my brain wants to center your sectional on the wall. Then, maybe pull the TV console down toward the entry opening and put a pretty arm chair in the corner next to the tv console. This would leave room for a small table on each side of the sectional and perhaps the arched lamp in the corner where Beverly suggested. I think with a darker accent wall and artwork above the couch, this would be a visually striking wall when you walk into the living room from the entry. Just spitballing here 😉😉

  • 5 years ago

    Sorry, I know you only asked for opinions on which wall to accent. I got away with myself there, but I like the long uninterrupted wall for the reason I said above.

  • 5 years ago

    @Amy Lynn what you outlined is exactly the direction we’re headed in, down to the arched lamp! it’s nice to hear that others think it will look good.

  • 5 years ago

    So glad to hear that! I hope you will post a picture of the finished job, I'd love to see the anaglypta painted in the color!

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Thanks. Without knowing the room measurements, floor plans are somewhat of a guess.


    The focal point wall should definitely be the long wall.

  • 5 years ago

    Since you already have the paper, I'd put it on the wall behind the sectional. You don't really want to highlight the TV, and your console has a lot of texture already.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Return the paper. It's more suited for Victorian Townhouses than the style home you have. It's too busy and tedious.

    If you cannot return it then use it in a powderroom.

  • 5 years ago

    @BeverlyFLADeziner i’m not returning the paper, thanks.

  • 5 years ago

    @jinx 😂😂😂

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Let's not equate bad choices with individuality. There is a big difference. There are lots of things you can spend money on, but it's important not to be wasteful.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Mmmhmmm. That’s your myopic opinion only. Opinion is not fact.

    Victorian Townhouses. 😂

  • 5 years ago

    @BeverlyFLADeziner you seem fun

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Joe, there are many ways to make a room feel warm, other than to add a dark wall. (and if you want to add one, paint is easy and can be changed).


    There are 2 things you should do before you make any decorating decision in a room.


    1) Decide your style and what you want it to look like. This starts with creating a houzz ideabook and adding photo you like. Soon, you will have honed in on what you like.


    You have several ideabooks but no photos in them. (except for the kitchen and I would say, so far, your style is transitional, but can't say for sure).


    Then post the style you have decided here.


    You have a global feel rug and a traditional feel tv console. Maybe that is what you want.. I don't know. The rug is too small for the sectional. )(Although you might be able to use it if it can be turned the other way). The table by the window seems too wide.


    2) Then create a floor plan. It sounds like you may have decided that during this thread. (or at least partially).


    I find this to be true among most people: their question tends to be about a decor element, when the basic work has not been done. So, you are totally normal!!!


    Adding decor is one small part of designing and is the "icing on the cake".


    Maybe all you want to know is what color to paint the wallpaper. That's okay. You might state that and I'll disappear.

  • 5 years ago

    @CDR Design, LLC we JUST moved in. maybe you noticed the speakers still on the floor waiting to be wired and mounted.


    for the time being, we took our old LR stuff and put it in the new LR. we had a much smaller living room with a smaller couch and this rug. it doesn’t all work in here, but it also isn’t permanent


    this rug is going into my son’s playroom and being replaced with something that works better. the sofa is about 11ft wide. what rug would you recommend?


    the table by the window is going into the basement and being replaced by a chair and small side table.


    i came in here to ask one specific question. i’m not opposed to taking advice - but i take issue when that advice is offered instead of giving the help that was asked for, not in addition to.



  • PRO
    5 years ago

    In design, what you leave out is just as important as what you add in.

  • 5 years ago

    @BeverlyFLADeziner the same can be said for design help threads. you’d be wise to follow your own advice here.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Hey, Joe. That is all very helpful information. I totally get what it is like to move!!! So much fun, yet so many decisions!!


    I find that, on these Houzz discussions, people jump in with ideas, without information.


    Example, that table by the window could be a very prized piece that you love and want to keep in the room at all cost. It might even be handed down from your dear aunt and it reminds you of her. Or, as in this case, it is going to the basement.


    I'd love to recommend a rug, once you have posted a photo of what you'd love your room to look like.


    I can offer advice on the feature wall after the I have that information about your style and other items in the room.


    Otherwise, I am just guessing.


    I hope that makes sense. When I work with a client, I ask them to complete a fun, but detailed questionnaire that has all of that information.


    I'll try to watch this thread for that info.


    You will get advice from and have gotten advise from others without much info.


    I hope you really enjoy your home and have many years of joy in it!!! I admire you for caring about you home and knowing an atmosphere you love will bring you joy.

  • 5 years ago

    @CDR Design, LLC anything i might have on Houzz (that was news to me) was from years ago. i was surprised i even had an active profile


    our design style leans towards eclectic. we have a lot of mid-century pieces throughout the house and id like to carry some of that in to this room.


    eventually the TV console will be replaced with something more that style, but it’s pretty new so it’s staying for now.


    the accent wall will have a B/W gallery of prints on it over the couch.


    tv will go on the wall, dog bed in the corner next to the console.


    dark corner next to the couch will have a small side table and an arched lamp.


    hopefully that’s enough info for you to recommend some rugs. thanks!

  • 5 years ago

    @Joe Silvestri

    You state that your room feels like a gray box and you want to fix this by adding texture and a darker gray to one wall and adding black and white photos over the sofa.




    Then you showed us a picture that you thought was gorgeous.



    You are never going to have the same look as your inspiration without adding beautiful, rich woods, but you won't get closer to that look without adding warmth. You still have a gray box with added texture.


    I picked out a different are a rug for demonstration - you would need to find the one that works best for you.













  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    @Jennifer Hogan I posted that picture, not Joe. And not as inspiration for his room, but because I was teasing that now I want to use that color. I clearly stated I was just posting it for fun. :)

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Hi Joe. That is really helpful info!


    Can you tell me the dimensions of the room and the dimensions of the sectional.


    These are the details I drill down to and while some may see them as not the "fun part", they are crucial to your room functioning and looking great in the end. Thanks, Joe.

    Joe Silvestri thanked CDR Design, LLC
  • 5 years ago

    @CDR Design, LLC the room is 17x13 and the sectional is 11ft across and 5.5ft deep at the chaise.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    @Jinx, Thank you for the clarification. It still worked to demonstrate the need for getting away from a gray box by adding gray to gray on gray on gray.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Here is a plan, Joe. This is a 9 x 12 rug. I am using C tables. Enough room for your dog bed.


    Joe Silvestri thanked CDR Design, LLC
  • 5 years ago

    @CDR Design, LLC that looks great, pretty much what i was envisioning. any thoughts on the rug design?

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    I'd add warmth to the room with textures and wood tones. Examples



  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Notice the use of wood tones and textures in these rooms. They are neutral, but still feel warm.



    Westfield · More Info


    5406 Duval - Mid-Century Modern · More Info


  • 5 years ago

    Remember, baby may be crawling? Some rugs are less comfy to feet and knees.

  • 5 years ago

    @CDR Design, LLC big fan of jute rugs! i just ordered one for our great room. i think it would look great in the living room too. i think i’ll bring wood tones in with a coffee table and the end tables. thanks for the ideas

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    This reminded me of what your room could look like. Plenty of texture and warmth.




  • 5 years ago

    @CDR Design, LLC love it. that chair is perfect for between the windows

  • 5 years ago
  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Glad you are able to buy the things you want.


    It would be nice to have 2 chairs. Maybe one in the corner by the console and could the dog bed go elsewhere?


    The sectional is quite large for the space. Is that ottoman removable?



  • 5 years ago

    here’s an update for everyone who helped, and even those who didn’t!!






    lamp for the corner is on order, gallery wall will be hung as soon as the last frame comes in, and im taking on the task of making wooden legs for a piece of marble ive got laying around for a coffee table.

  • 5 years ago

    Be sure to use white mattes or light colored artwork so you help balance that very dark side of the room.

  • 5 years ago

    Wow, that looks fantastic, Joe! Great job! So glad you went with it. It’s subtle, but striking. And very unique!

    Thanks for updating us!

    Joe Silvestri thanked Jilly
  • 5 years ago

    @calidesign lots of white going on that wall. i’ve got a few land surveys of the homes we’ve lived in, along with blueprints (but not blue) of a couple of buildings that my grandfather built. none of the art is “heavy”

  • 5 years ago

    @Jilly thank you! i’m glad you like it.

  • 5 years ago

    Looks so good Joe! Thanks for taking the time to update us with new pictures!